The airline is consolidating all short-haul and domestic services to its main base, shifting hundreds of holiday flights from Gatwick.

A BA spokeswoman said: “We’re looking forward to starting a small number of long haul services from Gatwick in mid-July. Throughout July and August, we’ll be consolidating our Gatwick and Heathrow short-haul flying to operate from our Heathrow base. 

“This enables us to drive operational and cost efficiencies across our business at a time when demand is yet to return and international travel restrictions remain in place. We’re proactively letting customers know and recommend checking their booking on ba.com prior to travel.”

The spokeswoman was unable to confirm which long-haul flights would operate from Gatwick.

One tour operator with many BA bookings told TTG: “We are drowning in notifications from BA moving flights from Gatwick to Heathrow until 9 September.”

The operator said that as well as the change of airport, departure and return dates were also being moved, prompting fears of a rash of cancellations.

In addition to slimming its operation following the pandemic, BA’s move to Heathrow will diminish the threat of any industrial action at Gatwick. Staff at the West Sussex airport are threatening to take action as BA wants to outsource them to another company, Gatwick Ground Services.

GGS already employs more than 500 staff, but another 412 BA employees are due to be made redundant and offered new jobs with GGS in a cost cutting move.

Any escalation of the dispute could see an extended absence at Gatwick by BA. The airport is already having to cope with the temporary loss of Virgin Atlantic, which has confirmed the relocation of all its Gatwick flights to Heathrow this summer.